{"id":24081,"date":"2023-03-13T16:54:12","date_gmt":"2023-03-13T23:54:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/genuscap.com\/?p=24081"},"modified":"2026-03-17T13:38:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T20:38:16","slug":"the-case-for-clean-energy-and-impact-investing-in-an-energy-market-upswing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/genuscap.com\/fr\/the-case-for-clean-energy-and-impact-investing-in-an-energy-market-upswing\/","title":{"rendered":"Les arguments en faveur de l'\u00e9nergie propre et de l'investissement d'impact dans un march\u00e9 de l'\u00e9nergie en pleine mutation"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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After a dip in demand during the pandemic, fossil fuels are seeing resurgent interest worldwide \u2014 and traditional energy companies are realizing record profits. These developments have caused some people to question whether investors committed to supporting the clean-energy transition can still do so and make money while making an impact. Our response? There are many great reasons to stay the course with impact investing \u2013 including potential returns.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Impact investing \u2014 which provides vital support to clean energy companies \u2014 can be a valuable way for socially conscious investors to build their portfolios. While our current drive to decarbonize began with the <\/span>Paris Agreement of 2015\u00b9<\/span><\/a>\u2014 which set specific national targets to get greenhouse gas emissions down (and keep global warming below 2C) \u2014 the idea of a clean energy transition is nothing new. In fact, it <\/span>dates back to the 1970s\u00b2<\/span><\/a>, when a sudden shortage of oil and gas \u2014 first in 1973 (the Yom Kippur War), then 1979 (the Iranian Revolution) \u2014 forced western nations to pursue energy efficiency standards and find alternative forms of fuel.<\/span><\/p>

We\u2019ve had several ups and downs on this winding road to a clean-energy future, and in 2022, the world once again found itself at a crossroads. When Russia invaded Ukraine, far-reaching sanctions on <\/span>Russian crude oil\u00b3<\/span><\/a> and natural <\/span>gas<\/span>\u2074<\/a> immediately <\/span>drove up prices<\/span>\u2075<\/a>. Many countries (especially in Europe) had to seek out new suppliers; some, like Germany, even had to <\/span>restart coal-fired power plants\u2076<\/span><\/a> to generate electricity.<\/span><\/p>

While in the short term fossil fuel producers have benefited \u2014 <\/span>both Shell and Exxon reported record profits\u2077<\/a><\/span> in 2022\u2014 volatile energy markets are also sparking renewed interest in renewables and energy efficiency, just like in the 1970s. And it is putting impact investing back in the spotlight.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The Case for Impact Investing<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Impact investing, at its most basic level, is focused on companies that are having a measurable impact on building a better world, environmentally and\/or socially. At Genus, we measure impact investments based on the percentage of revenues being generated from a company\u2019s products or services that contribute to the global sustainable development goals (SDGs) defined by the <\/span>UN\u2019s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development\u2078<\/span>.<\/span><\/a><\/p>

Our portfolio managers are constantly looking for ways to improve our portfolios\u2019 <\/span>net impact scores\u2079<\/span><\/a> \u2014 making sure that positive impacts outweigh any negative ones. Sometimes, at least in the short term, those SDGs come into conflict with current market realities. Yet while fossil fuel producers experienced a boost in the wake of Russia\u2019s war on Ukraine, experts say that the clean energy transition continues apace.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cIf you’re looking at pure solar companies, or companies that create parts for solar or other renewables, like wind energy, they have tended to do quite well recently,\u201d says Mike Thiessen, Chief Sustainability Officer at Genus. \u201cWe had one in our Impact Fund called <\/span>SMA Solar\u00b9\u2070<\/span><\/a>, and it returned 79% (in Euros) last calendar year. The world, especially European countries, is searching for energy independence.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Good News for Clean Energy<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Thiessen notes that recent legislation in the United States is also poised to boost fortunes for clean-energy companies: \u201cThere were a lot of subsidies launched around renewables through the Inflation Reduction Act, and that definitely helped boost demand and raise prospects for these companies.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law last August, <\/span>provides $370 billion in public investments\u00b9\u00b9<\/span><\/a> to lower energy costs and accelerate private investment in clean energy solutions. In response, the European Union introduced its own Green Deal Industrial Plan this February,<\/span> adding hundreds of billions\u00b9\u00b2<\/span><\/a> of loans and subsidies for green-tech development.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

While impact investors can profit from some of these companies via public markets, the reality is that much of the impact is happening on a smaller scale \u2014 and in private markets. <\/span>According to estimates from The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN)\u00b9\u00b3<\/a><\/span>, an international think tank, the private impact market grew to approximately $1.2 trillion by the end of 2021 \u2014 up 63% in just two years\u2019 time.<\/span><\/p>

Genus offers <\/span>a wide range of options for impact investors\u00b9\u2074<\/span><\/a> in both public and private markets. \u201cWe invest in private equity and venture capital, real estate, private debt \u2014 all focused around impact,\u201d says Thiessen.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Customized Portfolios for a Complex World<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Within the basket of potential impact investments, the reality is that each investor will have a different set of priorities. Some will <\/span>align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals\u00b9\u2075<\/span><\/a> and want to prioritize global poverty and hunger; others will want to boost gender equality; yet others will want to focus on clean water or education. The key to effective impact investing is customizing a portfolio to meet an individual\u2019s needs.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWe have over 5,000 different factors that we can turn on or off, depending on the client,\u201d says Thiessen. When it comes to energy, for instance, screens might include whether nuclear \u2014 a controversial zero-carbon option \u2014 is considered: \u201cWe can look at the percentage of revenue a company is making off of nuclear power \u2014 if a client believes that\u2019s the way to save the planet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

There remain a lot of \u201cunknown unknowns\u201d in 2023 \u2014 but the demand for impact investing will continue to grow, says Thiessen, as both Europe and North America spend heavily on a clean energy transition. Last year (2022), he notes, Genus\u2019 <\/span>high-impact equity fund\u00b9\u2076<\/span><\/a> beat the benchmark (MSCI World) by almost 10%.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThere\u2019s going to be a lot of demand for renewable energy, as well as energy efficiency. And given the continued need in the world, and with the subsidies starting to roll out, I think we\u2019ll see some very positive results for these companies.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Interested in wealth management guidance on making an impact with your portfolio? We invite you to <\/span><\/i>talk to a Genus Advisor<\/span><\/i><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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References<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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[1] <\/span>(no date) <\/span>Unfccc.int<\/span><\/i>. Available at: https:\/\/unfccc.int\/process-and-meetings\/the-paris-agreement (Accessed: February 16, 2023).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

[2] 1, A. (2022) <\/span>The geopolitics of energy: The 1970s oil crisis<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>Epicenter<\/span><\/i>. Available at: https:\/\/epicenter.wcfia.harvard.edu\/blog\/geopolitics-energy-1970s-oil-crisis (Accessed: March 3, 2023). <\/span><\/p>

[3] Amaro, S. (2022) <\/span>Russian oil sanctions are about to kick in. and they could disrupt markets in a big way<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>CNBC<\/span><\/i>. CNBC. Available at: https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2022\/12\/01\/russian-oil-sanctions-are-about-to-kick-in-and-they-could-disrupt-markets-in-a-big-way.html (Accessed: February 16, 2023).<\/span><\/p>

[4] McGrath, M. (2022) <\/span>Climate change: Eu unveils plan to end reliance on Russian Gas<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>BBC News<\/span><\/i>. BBC. Available at: https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/science-environment-60664799 (Accessed: February 16, 2023). <\/span><\/p>

[5] How are sanctions against Russia impacting oil and gas prices?: Energy outlook: J.P. Morgan<\/span><\/i> (no date) <\/span>How are sanctions against Russia impacting oil and gas prices? | Energy Outlook | J.P. Morgan<\/span><\/i>. Available at: https:\/\/www.jpmorgan.com\/insights\/research\/oil-gas-energy-prices (Accessed: February 16, 2023).<\/span><\/p>

[6] Germany to reactivate coal power plants as Russia curbs gas flow<\/span><\/i> (2022) <\/span>The Guardian<\/span><\/i>. Guardian News and Media. Available at: https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2022\/jul\/08\/germany-reactivate-coal-power-plants-russia-curbs-gas-flow (Accessed: February 16, 2023). <\/span><\/p>

[7] Reed, S. (2023) <\/span>Shell’s profit soared to $42 billion last year<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>The New York Times<\/span><\/i>. The New York Times. Available at: https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2023\/02\/02\/business\/shell-earnings-record-profit.html?unlocked_article_code=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACEIPuonUktbfqIhkSlUbASbfQMMmqBCdnr_UwLE4gjrzJTKTSDBN1KEPDoOH4UuIfbBkadovmTSHQdsLeJkeeMtP9M4NdUp8V1vv5ZKehJUOJyhy946_Umlv05-IAuBn_Xq3NGPobbZzleX67xjdbjW5WPHc1SZyNx8l9cU-DSyi0HEIwK_DEeRniJIpjbp6WMcMFXpXbzKKvvLpFxx-JNyGCxnb4QI0UOpcMirByZ_es_lTNVUPVi-VCS938m0-69lDOdgIPKmZLxIoe8P2grR5GXVjYgBpEIigH8wot5euPqHY&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare (Accessed: February 16, 2023). <\/span><\/p>

[8] The 17 goals | sustainable development<\/span><\/i> (no date) <\/span>United Nations<\/span><\/i>. United Nations. Available at: https:\/\/sdgs.un.org\/goals (Accessed: February 16, 2023). <\/span><\/p>

[9] Ferraz, C. (2021) <\/span>Do you know your investment portfolio’s net impact? we do. and here’s why you should, too<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>Genus<\/span><\/i>. Available at: https:\/\/genuscap.com\/do-you-know-your-investment-portfolios-net-impact\/ (Accessed: February 16, 2023). <\/span><\/p>

[10] SMA Solar Technology AG – Inverter & Photovoltaics Solutions<\/span><\/i> (no date) <\/span>German<\/span><\/i>. Available at: https:\/\/www.sma.de\/en\/ (Accessed: February 16, 2023). <\/span><\/p>

[11] Inflation reduction act guidebook – clean energy<\/span><\/i> (2023) <\/span>The White House<\/span><\/i>. The United States Government. Available at: https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/cleanenergy\/inflation-reduction-act-guidebook\/ (Accessed: February 16, 2023). <\/span><\/p>

[12] Person (2023) <\/span>Factbox: What’s in the EU Green Deal Industrial Plan?<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>Reuters<\/span><\/i>. Thomson Reuters. Available at: https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/sustainable-business\/whats-eu-green-deal-industrial-plan-2023-02-01\/ (Accessed: February 16, 2023). <\/span><\/p>

[13] Laker, B. (2023) <\/span>Demand for impact investing is rising. here’s why<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>Forbes<\/span><\/i>. Forbes Magazine. Available at: https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/benjaminlaker\/2022\/11\/17\/demand-for-impact-investing-is-rising-heres-why\/?sh=643deb75285f (Accessed: February 16, 2023). <\/span><\/p>

[14] Genus Webinar – Sustainable spotlight<\/span><\/i> (2022) <\/span>YouTube<\/span><\/i>. YouTube. Available at: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=l0hgTP1HjbY (Accessed: February 16, 2023). <\/span><\/p>

[15] Genus. (2022) <\/span>How our impact portfolios align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>Genus<\/span><\/i>. Available at: https:\/\/genuscap.com\/how-our-impact-portfolios-align-with-un-sdgs\/ (Accessed: February 16, 2023). <\/span><\/p>

[16] Impact investing<\/span><\/i> (2022) <\/span>Genus<\/span><\/i>. Available at: https:\/\/genuscap.com\/fossil-free-impact\/impact-investing\/ (Accessed: February 16, 2023). <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Il existe de nombreuses bonnes raisons de maintenir le cap de l'investissement d'impact. L'investissement d'impact, qui apporte un soutien vital aux entreprises du secteur de l'\u00e9nergie propre, peut \u00eatre un moyen pr\u00e9cieux pour les investisseurs socialement conscients de constituer leurs portefeuilles.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":24102,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16,27],"tags":[110],"class_list":["post-24081","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-market-insights","tag-blog"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nClean Energy in a Market Upswing - Genus Capital<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Investors committed to supporting the clean-energy transition wonder if they can still make money. Our response? 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